BARN FIND 1952 CHEVY STYLELINE DELUXE TIN WOODY STATION WAGON: LEAD SLED RAT ROD

Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210 1952 Description

1952 CHEVROLET TIN WOODY 8-PASSENGER WAGON
This car was pulled from a barn a couple years back after not being driven since 1969. The last tags were in 1969. There were several pamphlets/papers/matches in the glovebox from the sixties, hich verified to me that it has not been driven since that time period. These were local businesses that I know have been long gone since that era. I also have a picture of the car from the 50's, hich is pretty cool. In 1952 only 12,756 8-passenger tin woody wagons were produced. In comparison, 15,417 deluxe coupes and 319,736 deluxe sedans were produced. These cars are commonly referred to as a "tin" woody, because it has no structural wood. Chevy stopped producing the wood versions in 1949. The tin woodys like this had some painted on exterior/interior wood, ome plastic "wood look" interior pieces, nd some real wood interior pieces. I believe this car was technically called an 8-passenger wagon because the middle seat is smaller to walk by to get to the third seat. I put 9-passenger in the title because most people refer to 3-seat wagons as "9-passenger". Only the 3-seat wagons had the rear sliding windows, ut I've also checked the trim tag and this has the body number specific to 3-seat wagons. The body has very little exterior rust and is straight for the most part. These cars look great when restored and there are a variety of ways to re-do the woodgrain on the metal. Airbrushing it on looks really cool. Below are 24 pictures of this car and I also put a few pics in here of restored tin woody's. I have many more pics of my wagon I can send. Here are all the details. If you want to do something on it, eel free to email. Thanks.
NOTE: Click on one of the pics and then scroll through. If you just scroll, hey seem a bit fuzzy.
MECHANICAL
This car has the six cylinder engine with manual three-speed on the tree. The motor does not turn over. I was told it was parked with mechanical problems in '69 and for whatever reasons, as not fixed. I'm not sure if it is stuck due to sitting so long, r if something happened originally causing it to stick. These motors are inexpensive and fairly easy to rebuild. I don't see anything that would lead me to believe the engine is badly damaged or cracked. It is complete, ncluding the air cleaner. The car rolls and steers. The transmission shifts into all gears and the clutch works properly. As in, t will hold it and release it on a hill. The wheels appear to be the originals, ith all original hubcaps. The tires hold air for transport. I have not put a 6v battery in it to try any of the electrical system. This appears to be a radio delete car which is interesting.
BODY
This car has almost no exterior rust. The only rust on the outside, s minor rust over the rear wheels. This is in the flat part of the quarter, nd easy for a bodyman to repair. The floorpans do need work, hich is very common to these cars. It needs floorpan replacement in the foot areas, n front of both seats. They most likely make a one piece pan to do this, ut I know they make the individual pans. The tunnel is usable. The outer rockers and doglegs have rust which is also common and a 1-piece repair panel is sold. The inner rockers look fine but some people choose to do them anyways if your doing the outer rockers and floor work. Under the rear seat and the entire cargo floor area is rust-free. The spare tire tub is rust free also. The rear wheelhouses, ront fenders, nner fenders, oors, oof, rame, ailgate jam, ailgate, ood, irewalls, tc. etc. are all nice. The car is dry for the most part but the floors and rockers on these cars are prone to rust. The majority of the exterior body is very straight. Both drivers side doors have dents where someone got up against something. They will be a basic repair for an amateur or experienced bodyman. The doors open/shut and latch fine. Tailgate opens/closes fine. The rear window has to be opened from the inside, s the outside handle/mechanism needs work. You have to pop it open from the inside. I'm sure it's an easy repair but I just never looked into it closely to see what was causing it.
Overall, he body needs some work but it's mostly the front floor area and rockers. The exterior will be fairly easy for a bodyman to prepare for paint or drive it as-is. I would personally just fix the floor and drive it as-is for awhile but I guess whatever you want to do.
INTERIOR

The interior does need restoration. It is complete with exception of the third seat. I can help you try to find one but they are fairly easy to fabricate if needed. It's just a tube frame seat. Most trim, tc. is intact. Some of plywood door panels/side panels need replaced. This is 1/4" plywood that's easy to replicate but reproductions are maybe produced. All interior plastic and metal trim is usable although some may need refinished/repainted. Headliner and trim pieces are surprisingly nice. Dash area is in good shape and unmolested. All doors open/close/latch. This car appears to be radio delete. The visors are in it. The spare tire tub cover is on it.
Overall
If you know anything about woodys, ou know that the tin woody is not only cheaper to buy but much cheaper to restore than a real woody. A real woody in this condition would cost significantly more than what I'm selling this for, nd the restoration would be a lot more expensive. Below are some pics of other tin woody cars. I also have more pics of this car I can send. Thanks and happy bidding. This car is used, nd sold as-is. Thank you.

On Mar-04-16 at 13:28:20 PST, eller added the following information:

This car comes with fenders kits and ski racks that were probably added to the car when it was new or close to that time.

On Mar-05-16 at 11:23:12 PST, eller added the following information:

This car is for sure a 1952 model. I've decoded the VIN and data tag to be sure. The grille was switched at some point to a '51 grille. Thanks

On Mar-07-16 at 10:50:07 PST, eller added the following information:

I HAVE MANY MORE PICS, ND ENGINE PICS I CAN SEND. I THOUGHT I HAD PICS OF THE ENGINE IN THE LISTING BUT I FORGOT THEM. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADD THEM NOW. THANKS